Willow artist opens workshops to the public

NORWICH – Bonnie Gale, local willow basketmaker/artist for the past 23 years, invites you to attend two Community Willow and Open House Days on Saturday, Oct. 7 and 14 from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The aim of these two community days is to provide the community with an opportunity to receive an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the work of this local artist through interactive tours and demonstrations as well as the opportunity for hands-on experiences. Participants will be able to view the creative process first hand and see the willow from growing in a bed to the final basket and living willow installations. Tours and demonstrations and hands-on workshops will occur in the Norwich area. Last year, Gale held a very successful Willow Day and this year, it is being expanded into two Saturday afternoons in October.

The first community day, Oct. 7, will start with a tour of a local willow bed where basket willow is growing. There will be a discussion of planting and care of the bed and participants will have an opportunity to cut willow. This tour will be followed by a tour and demonstration at Gale’s studio. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to make the Danish Fruit basket with the fresh willow cut earlier.